Volunteering with Safe Homes provides an opportunity to learn new skills, become involved with the life of the community, make a firm statement about the crime of domestic violence, and be a positive role model to others.

Participation in volunteer training is required. For application and information regarding a training schedule, call the Safe Homes volunteer coordinator at 562-5365.

Safe Homes offers comprehensive support services for individuals affected and displaced by domestic violence, as well as education and prevention programs.

shot locally

With the goal of illuminating the struggle of those with mental deficiencies to greater public awareness, House of Light Productions, in cooperation with Dutchess ARC, is producing a feature-length documentary. The film, to be shot locally in the Hudson Valley, will chronicle the struggles, triumphs, hopes and dreams of eight unique individuals living with varying degrees of mental abilities.

Titled "Kent Road," the film will be the first of two features that will be directed by Ithaca College alumnus Thomas R. Cznarty in 2007. The second film, a drama about the lives of six fictional characters whose lives collide in one seminal moment, will also be shot locally in the Hudson Valley.

The filming, which takes place in New Windsor, Wappingers, Montgomery and LaGrange, has already started. Its completion is anticipated by spring 2008.

hear about pre-K

Patricia Hasapis, Glenham Elementary School staff member and Howland Public Library trustee, recently came to the Howland Public Library Pre-K Story Time to tell families about the Beacon City School District's half-day funded Pre-Kindergarten Program offered at the Glenham School and at A Kid's Place in September.

This free state-certified program based upon the Montessori method is available to all Beacon City School District residents and will prepare the children for elementary school.

The school's morning session is from 8:40—11:10 a.m., and the afternoon session runs 12:40—3:10 p.m. Children must be 4 years old by Dec. 1, 2007. Transportation is available. For more information about the Glenham program, call the school principal, Mrs. Condello, at 838-6900, ext. 5001.

The Howland Public Library at 313 Main St., Beacon, offers its story time from 10:30—11:15 a.m. Fridays for children ages 3 and older. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This program is free, and no registration is required. Contact Ginny Figlia at 831-1134 ext. 103 for more information.

One hundred children from low-income families in Orange County received new shoes this summer.

The Susie Reizod Foundation, whose mission it is to provide new shoes to children in need, distributed the shoes to children who participated in programs at the Blooming Grove Day Care Center, the Glen Hines Memorial Boys and Girls Club, the Town of Wallkill Boys and Girls Club and Walden Day Care.

The shoe donation was made possible by a grant from the Orange County United Way.

Newburgh

Joseph G. Nakagawa of Newburgh achieved Eagle Scout rank and was recently honored in a ceremony at Gardnertown United Methodist Church.

To obtain Eagle Scout status, Nakagawa, 18, chose to hold a shoe drive as his project. He posted fliers promoting his event and set up collection boxes wherever he could, including the Newburgh Town Hall, the Newburgh Recreation Department and Temple Beth Jacob.

Nakagawa collected a total of 2,000 pairs of shoes for charity, and their distribution was handled, in part, by Groo's Shoes, in Middletown, and Susan Reardon's organization, Shoes That Fit.

Joseph G. Nakagawa

Photo provided

Five generations

Five generations of one family gathered for a recent photo. Pictured from top right are Loretta Osterhout of the Town of Newburgh; her daughter, Bonnie Ellsworth, of Kingston; Ellsworth's daughter, Lydia Sweeney, of Kingston; Sweeney's son, Sgt. Corry Litts, of Fort Belvoir, Va.; and his children, Dustin Litts (held by Sweeney), and, bottom right to left, CJ Litts and Savannah Litts.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.